Fabrication of robust and color-tunable luminescent elastomers via the high-functionality crosslinker strategy using vinyl-functionalized conjugated polymers

Abstract

A straightforward fabrication of luminescent elastomers by using vinyl-functionalized conjugated polymers as crosslinkers is presented in this study. By side-chain engineering on the conjugated polymer, multiple vinyl cross-linking points could be created on a single polymer chain, which crosslink with hydrogen-terminated oligo-hydrosilane via hydrosilylation reaction and subsequently constructs a network with multiple chains bridging two adjacent crosslinkers. Based on this high-functionality crosslinker strategy, the obtained elastomer can be stretched to a large elongation of 570 % before breaking with high tensile strength (0.30 MPa) and toughness (0.83 MJ/m3). By changing the structure of the conjugated polymer or swelling the elastomer in solvents, the emission color is tunable. This work provides a facile strategy to prepare flexible light-emitting devices with robust and color tunable properties.